LOUISBURG - Raymond Burden Hodges, 57, died Friday, April 20, 2012 at Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh, surrounded by his family.

He was born to the late John and Nancy Hodges on December 19, 1954 in Louisburg, North Carolina.  After attending Blue Ridge High School in Dyke, Virginia, he received his BFA in Fine Arts from East Carolina University in 1977.

Ray continued his fierce loyalty to the Pirates throughout his life.  He enjoyed Pirate football games, golfing, hunting, and a good joke.  He was loved as a husband, father, brother, friend, colleague, and community member.

Ray was devoted to both of his independent insurance agencies, Hodges Insurance Agency, Inc, founded by his father John Hodges in Louisburg, and Hartsfield and Nash Agency, Inc. in Wake Forest. Ray had a strong sense of community and spent many years as a Board of Trustee member for Louisburg College.

Ray is survived by his wife of 33 years, Arlene Hodges; daughters Emily Hodges and Allison Hodges and her fiancé, Bucky Westmoreland, all of Raleigh; brother, John Hodges Jr. of Raleigh; maternal aunt, Katherine Burden of Aulander, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a private graveside service, and a memorial service will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 6 p.m. at the Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center at Louisburg College.  Visitation will be held at the home.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The ALS Association (120 Penmarc Dr, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC, 27603), or Louisburg United Methodist Church (PO Box 667, Louisburg, NC 27549), and Louisburg College (501 N Main St, Louisburg, NC 27549) in his memory.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.

Paid Obituary